Description

After years of burgeoning marketing-driven product categories, it's refreshing to see the return of mountain bikes made for going mountain biking―exactly what Santa Cruz had in mind with the 5010 Carbon X0-1 complete mountain bike. This 27.5 inch trail-fiend blurs the lines between inane product groups and instead focuses on the heart of the matter―enjoying every ride, no matter where it takes you. It starts with the five pound 5010 frame, a frame that's equally capable of slogging through all-day backcountry explorations as it is mixing it up at your local XC races, or going for the glory at Enduro rounds. The versatility is enhanced by FOX suspension, a Rockshox Reverb Stealth dropper post, and hand-built wheels. It's no surprise that SRAM's X0-1 is the drivetrain of choice. It employs a massive 10-42 cassette, meaning that you can ditch the front derailleur and maintain the full gear range that you're used to. The result is easily greater than the sum of its parts, and it adds up to a bike that will thrive just about anywhere you want to take it.

Santa Cruz's industry-leading carbon fiber construction is at its best on the 5010. Both the front and rear triangles are constructed as a whole, rather than bonding them together from sub-assemblies. In addition to saving weight, it ensures that the 5010 is as strong as possible. That's because the fibers are uninterrupted by seams, which happens with other construction methods. If you were to cut it in half, you'd find that the inside of the tubes has the same perfectly smooth finish as the outside. That's a result of construction techniques that maximize the compaction of the layers. The benefit is that it's lighter, because any excess epoxy is squeezed from the frame prior to curing, and this ideal degree of compaction optimizes the strength. Plus, it keeps the frame weight in the XC race realm, at a shade over five pounds with shock. And the strength and stiffness are further enhanced with the mechanic-friendly, oversized 15mm collet-style hardware, and 12x142mm through axle out back.

Mid-sized 27.5 inch wheels, like those found on the 5010, have been surrounded by a whirlwind of attention as of late, and with good reason. The geometry of 26-inch bikes has become thoroughly refined over the past few years, but many riders find that the improved rolling characteristics of a 29 inch wheel make them an appealing alternative. However, stuffing a 29-inch wheel into a frame with moderate travel can produce some undesirable side effects, most notably long, unwieldy chainstays. By designing the 5010 around 27.5-inch wheels, Santa Cruz has harnessed the improved rolling ability of larger wheels, while dropping nearly three quarters of an inch off the chainstay length of the Tallboy. And that translates into faster turns and a more responsive ride. The chainstays grow roughly a quarter inch as compared to the Blur TR, allowing it to maintain the snappy handling of its smaller wheeled sibling. And like the Blur TR, the head angle remains at 68 degrees. What that means for you is that the steering feel is nearly identical to the notoriously fun TR. Instead of thinking of the 5010 as a downsized Tallboy, consider it a beefed up Blur TR that retains the flickability, and adds a heaping spoonful of out-and-out speed to the equation.

The X0-1 AM build features SRAM's 11 speed X01 groupset. By using a massive 10-42 cassette, you're able to get a gearing range that's similar to a traditional double chainring drivetrain, and you save the weight and complexity of a front shifter and derailleur. The concept has been proven at the highest levels of competition via SRAM's XX1 groupset, so the reliability and functionality are undisputed. Suspension duties are handled by FOX units front and back, in the form of a 32 FLOAT fork, and a FOX FLOAT CTD evolution rear shock. The fork employs FOX's FIT sealed damper for consistent performance on long descents, and the none-more-gold Kashima coating. The rear shock forgoes the Kashima coating, although in our experience, the tangible difference in performance is somewhere between negligible and non-existent.

You'll find an Easton Havoc alloy handlebar and Truvativ AKA stem handling the steering, and the staff favorite Rockshox Reverb Stealth dropper post puts control of your saddle height at your fingertips. Rounding out the build kit is a hand-built wheelset comprised of DT's legendary 350 hubs laced with DT spokes to WTB i23 tubeless compatible rims. They're wrapped in Maxxis High Roller II tires, which have developed a loyal following for their fast rolling and incredible grip across a broad range of trail conditions.

The Santa Cruz 5010 Carbon X0-1 AM Complete Mountain Bike is available in four sizes from Small to X-Large, and in the colors Gloss Orange/white, and Matte Black/green.

Here's what others have to say...

View

5010

Comment on DAVID FIKE's video:

MOAB bests

Familiarity:
I gave it as a gift but have feedback to share

What a bike, rode it for four days in MOAB and Fruita. The bike rocks! Looks like my old Blur LT will be getting some needed rest. Cant wait to try it out east to see what it does on our tight and rooty trails.

Comment on pet2820226's review:

Great bike!

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Bought this bike to upgrade a 26" Stumpjumper Elite FSR. After a couple of weeks of riding it, I did a 4 day stage race on it (250 kms) and improved my race times significantly. What can I say other than it is an amazing bike, extremely comfortable in climbs, rolls great and is extremely capable going down. VPP/Rear suspension works great, dont even miss the brain in my former bike. Shimano XT's are the best brakes I've owned, precise and strong. Stealth Reverb amazing also. The build quality of the bike is amazing, is a head turner everywhere you go. Highly recommend.

Comment on gld's review:

One of the best mountain bikes out there

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I road the 5010 on a demo a few weekends ago and was blown away. It handles so well that it feels like an extension of your body. Santa Cruz hit a home run with this one as its a great all around bike that can be a XC racer or an all day trail bike. My wife and I were both so impressed with it that we bought one for her...hopefully she'll let me borrow it from time to time.

Comment on phi101601797's review:

A Do-anything Bike

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

I still favor the29" wheel for its ability to roll over obstacles and cover terrain, but the 5010 is the favorite 650b bike that I have ridden thus far. The steering response is very light and intuitive, especially down switchbacks and tight corners. It is fun to pump the bars and carry speed over fast rolling terrain, but does not feel like too much bike when the time comes to push up a climb (the Bronson can do the climbs but is more bike than I want on the up and more than I need on the down) Some Santa Cruz bikes I've ridden in the past, particularly the Tallboy LT, felt kind of wallowy in the midstroke, but the 5010 had the active-but-high-riding feel I like.

Comment on Mike Nelson's review:

Smooth like fresh blacktop.

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

What can I say? I have never really been too keen on VPP, but now that they have made some tweaks, and added some 27.5 wheels in the mix, I have finally found a bike that is hanging out near the top spot for my one bike for next season. I had the chance to demo this bike on two rides, both, unfortunately were over relatively mellow, smooth trails in the wasatch and I never got to really open the bike up through technical terrain the way I wanted to. This bike had a perceived speed that made descending down the jump and berm filled Rush trail feel faster than ever before, as well as the light weight and suspension riding high in the travel (~15% sag) led to a bike that would be at home rallying a slalom track. I'm hoping to get a few rocky, technical rides in before the snow flies to give it a full run down and make my decision for next season, but the 5010 is an incredible bike and will handle all but full on DH trails with reckless abandon.

Comment on Perry Hall's review:

Do-it-all

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

I feel this bike is a definite do-it-all type bike that doesn’t want to back down to any terrain. The only caveat is the rider willing to push this bike to the limits. First things first, it’s a Santa Cruz which means they pretty much have their VPP suspension platform dialed. As I’ve said in previous reviews, shock pressure/sag seems to play a vital role in the bikes personality. Set it up a bit more sag (>25%) and you will still get efficient pedaling, just with more small bump compliance and a bit more subdued handling. Set it up a bit firmer (~20%) you will get a bike that stays higher in its travel and the bike wakes up from its slumber becoming more nimble.

For a trail bike, I think this is my favorite so far as the geometry makes for handling that wants to be pushed faster and faster. Get the chance to ride it down your favorite section of trail and tell me that the bike didn’t tell you to go faster (It’s only crazy if it doesn’t work). Even at the opportunity of lift assisted Double Black Diamond trails, the bike’s 125mm of suspension didn’t want to let up. I guess the easiest way to describe it would be a Pomeranian playing with Rottweilers.

The X01 package is a great setup all around. Shimano XT brakes provide ample stopping power, Sram X01 1x11 drivetrain keeps things simple, and the Rockshox Reverb dropper seatpost provides confidence on steep descents. My only gripe was the 34T chainring as it doesn’t cater too well to the climbing in Utah. I think most riders would be happier with a smaller chainring such as a 32.